1. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/25/wounded-iraq-double-amputee-returns-lines-afghanistan/
2. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39356718/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
The story I chose is about a double amputee, Dan Luckett, returning to the front lines in Afghanistan, two years after the amputation of one of his legs and one of his feet. The articles basically explained his story; how Luckett lost his limbs and his rather quick road to recovery, along with some comedy about how he behaves with his prosthetic leg now. Interestingly enough, the articles in both Fox and MSNBC were the EXACT same. Word for word, they were the same article. At the bottom of each, it said, "Associated Press Writer Anne Gearan in Washington contributed to this report." My thoughts are that Gearan had a lot to do with this report. So much so that the news reporters decided not to change the story at all. Perhaps she even wrote the report in its entirety and just told MSNBC and Fox that they were allowed to use it. This also leads me to believe that CNN did not cover it because two other very large networks already had the same story printed with, what clearly seem to be, the facts. In my opinion, I think this story should have been reported on. It's interesting enough that a majority of people would want to read it and it also makes people realize how devoted military men are. It shows, through emotional means, how hard they work and how passionate they are about their job.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Situation.
http://www.popcrunch.com/the-situation-iphone-app-in-apples-top-10-highest-grossing-applications/
This article makes me question why I watch the Jersey Shore. Basically, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is making $5 million dollars this year for...well, nothing. For being super guido and somehow landing himself a spot on a highly thought-provoking television show. Ha.
The logistics of this articles are that The Situation has his own application for iPhone. The application involves GTL-ing, which is Gym, Tan, Laundry. This app directs you to the nearest laundry mats, tanning salons, and gives you a gym workout routine. This application also involves a game among a few other little things.
Honestly, this blows my mind. if this guy can get his own iPhone application, I definitely should have one by now.
He's keeping my dreams of being on Oprah alive.
Clearly, there has been a shift in our mediums from needs to pointless desires. We used to need cell phones in the case of emergencies, the internet to research important information, television to watch the news or learn, now it's this; The Situation. I'm not complaining, I enjoy not having to use my brain when I watch television, and I certainly enjoy people on television making me feel really smart, but I can't help but think applications such as this are wasting my money.
This article makes me question why I watch the Jersey Shore. Basically, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is making $5 million dollars this year for...well, nothing. For being super guido and somehow landing himself a spot on a highly thought-provoking television show. Ha.
The logistics of this articles are that The Situation has his own application for iPhone. The application involves GTL-ing, which is Gym, Tan, Laundry. This app directs you to the nearest laundry mats, tanning salons, and gives you a gym workout routine. This application also involves a game among a few other little things.
Honestly, this blows my mind. if this guy can get his own iPhone application, I definitely should have one by now.
He's keeping my dreams of being on Oprah alive.
Clearly, there has been a shift in our mediums from needs to pointless desires. We used to need cell phones in the case of emergencies, the internet to research important information, television to watch the news or learn, now it's this; The Situation. I'm not complaining, I enjoy not having to use my brain when I watch television, and I certainly enjoy people on television making me feel really smart, but I can't help but think applications such as this are wasting my money.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Serial Killer in Alabama
1. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/03/10/2009-03-10_alabama_shooting_spree_suspect_michael_m.html
2. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/03/11/2009-03-11_michael_mclendon_gunman_who_killed_10_se.html
The article I tracked is about a man named Michael McLendon. He is considered a serial killer but all of his murders occurred on the same day right before he killed himself. McLendon is said to have burned down his mother's home while she was in it and then drove to his grandparents home and shot both of his grandparents, his aunt, and his uncle. After that, he drove around the town shooting people, two of which happened to be the sheriff deputy's wife and 18 month-old child. After killing 10 victims from his Mitsubishi Eclipse, he went to Reliable, which is a manufacturing metal supply factory that he once worked at. Cops caught him there and after firing 30 rounds at the officers, he shot himself.
The article focuses more on the cases than the serial killer because all of the cases occurred on the same day and it is very clearly uncharacteristic of Geneva, Alabama. The article says that the man was from Alabama and in his 30's, but not much else was mentioned about him. There were no nationwide statistics mentioned.
After realizing there was not much mentioned about the serial killer or law enforcement, I went to a related link. The second link I posted says that McLendon was an ex-cop and the law enforcement that was involved in this case found a list written by McLendon, of people who had "done him wrong". (Coffee County District Attorney Gary McAliley.)
There was some information about the victims, such as the fact that 5 of his victims were family members, including his mother, grandparents, aunt and uncle. The second article says that his aunt was not killed but his two cousins were. The other victims, besides the sheriff's wife and child, were random people and the article said very little about them. The community in which this occurred was in uproar because, as mentioned in the second article, this case is the worst mass murder by one killer in Alabama history.
2. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/03/11/2009-03-11_michael_mclendon_gunman_who_killed_10_se.html
The article I tracked is about a man named Michael McLendon. He is considered a serial killer but all of his murders occurred on the same day right before he killed himself. McLendon is said to have burned down his mother's home while she was in it and then drove to his grandparents home and shot both of his grandparents, his aunt, and his uncle. After that, he drove around the town shooting people, two of which happened to be the sheriff deputy's wife and 18 month-old child. After killing 10 victims from his Mitsubishi Eclipse, he went to Reliable, which is a manufacturing metal supply factory that he once worked at. Cops caught him there and after firing 30 rounds at the officers, he shot himself.
The article focuses more on the cases than the serial killer because all of the cases occurred on the same day and it is very clearly uncharacteristic of Geneva, Alabama. The article says that the man was from Alabama and in his 30's, but not much else was mentioned about him. There were no nationwide statistics mentioned.
After realizing there was not much mentioned about the serial killer or law enforcement, I went to a related link. The second link I posted says that McLendon was an ex-cop and the law enforcement that was involved in this case found a list written by McLendon, of people who had "done him wrong". (Coffee County District Attorney Gary McAliley.)
There was some information about the victims, such as the fact that 5 of his victims were family members, including his mother, grandparents, aunt and uncle. The second article says that his aunt was not killed but his two cousins were. The other victims, besides the sheriff's wife and child, were random people and the article said very little about them. The community in which this occurred was in uproar because, as mentioned in the second article, this case is the worst mass murder by one killer in Alabama history.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Lindsay Lohan Our Favorite Celebrity Yayyy!
1. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/lindsay-lohan-leaves-jail-starts-90-day-rehab/story?id=11304689
2. http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/08/02/2010-08-02_lindsay_lohan_released_from_jail_but_will_enter_rehab_center_in_west_los_angeles.html
3. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/02/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main6735767.shtml
My articles cover Lindsay Lohan's transition from jail to rehab. All of these articles recap the day that she left jail and then went straight to a rehabilitation center, void of seeing her family.
The first article said Lohan was in jail for 13 days but the other two articles said she was in jail for 14. The first article that Lohan had been in the Lynwood Correctional Facility while the second article stated that she had been in the Century Regional Detention Facility. Both articles say she is going to rehab for bi-polar disorder and for use of amphetamines. The second article says methamphetamines and then denies the use of meth and clarifies by saying that Lohan actually was using adderall. I guess this author didn't realize that adderall is a methamphetamine. The third article actually says that Lohan will be treated for crystal meth, but then goes on to say that this quote is a fabrication. The last two articles mention that Lohan was on Adderall, Dilaudid and Zoloft. The first medication being a treatment for ADHD and the last two are anti-depressants.
To me, it seemed that each article put more emphasis on a different part of the story. The third article clearly focused on Lohan's disorders and drug problems. The second article seemed to focus more on the rumors on and surrounding the day of her leave from jail and then either confirming the rumors or shooting them down. The first article mostly focuses on the facts, or so it seems, but one can also see a bias for Lohan. The other articles seem to not be in favor of her, but the first article shows all positive comments about her, including some comments praising her looks, which seem irrelevant, if you ask me.
I think the differences in these stories would be more subtle if the emphases of each article were all on the same thing. Since there are different focuses of each article, it is much easier to notice the differences.
2. http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/08/02/2010-08-02_lindsay_lohan_released_from_jail_but_will_enter_rehab_center_in_west_los_angeles.html
3. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/02/earlyshow/leisure/celebspot/main6735767.shtml
My articles cover Lindsay Lohan's transition from jail to rehab. All of these articles recap the day that she left jail and then went straight to a rehabilitation center, void of seeing her family.
The first article said Lohan was in jail for 13 days but the other two articles said she was in jail for 14. The first article that Lohan had been in the Lynwood Correctional Facility while the second article stated that she had been in the Century Regional Detention Facility. Both articles say she is going to rehab for bi-polar disorder and for use of amphetamines. The second article says methamphetamines and then denies the use of meth and clarifies by saying that Lohan actually was using adderall. I guess this author didn't realize that adderall is a methamphetamine. The third article actually says that Lohan will be treated for crystal meth, but then goes on to say that this quote is a fabrication. The last two articles mention that Lohan was on Adderall, Dilaudid and Zoloft. The first medication being a treatment for ADHD and the last two are anti-depressants.
To me, it seemed that each article put more emphasis on a different part of the story. The third article clearly focused on Lohan's disorders and drug problems. The second article seemed to focus more on the rumors on and surrounding the day of her leave from jail and then either confirming the rumors or shooting them down. The first article mostly focuses on the facts, or so it seems, but one can also see a bias for Lohan. The other articles seem to not be in favor of her, but the first article shows all positive comments about her, including some comments praising her looks, which seem irrelevant, if you ask me.
I think the differences in these stories would be more subtle if the emphases of each article were all on the same thing. Since there are different focuses of each article, it is much easier to notice the differences.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Deviance and Moral Panics
The website I chose is both a support group and an informational site. It's also somewhat of a personal blog. The website is about thinspiration or "pro-ana". A young girl describes her experiences of being anorexic and makes it seem so positive and enlightening. She has many links on her page that go more in depth about being pro-ana. She wrote a list of reasons of why eating is so terrible, the best ways to exercise, videos and music that will help people to not eat, among many other things. The number of supporters for this website baffles me. In my opinion, this is an extreme social deviant. I believe that anorexia is a deviant in and of itself but I also know that it is a sickness, and therefore am less likely to judge someone who has this illness. This website is above and beyond that. This website is above and beyond a support group. It seems almost cult-like. I can't even fathom the insecurities of these poor young girls and I hope that somehow an end is put to this "fad," soon.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Media Critique
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/technology/personaltech/01pogue.html
The article I chose is a critique of the Apple iPad's. The article basically explains what an iPad is and is not capable of doing. I think it is a good article because it specifically shows both sides of the spectrum. There is a brief critique for all tech-savvy people, and a brief critique for regular individuals. In my opinion, this article was written by someone who is technologically inclined because although the article is trying to see both sides, it still seems biased. I don't think that the article is in favor of the iPad.
I assumed this article to be credible because it was posted in the New York Times, an extremely prestigious newspaper, and also went as far as to correct itself in a later posted article. The author of this article brings up great points for both sides. The iPad will play videos and DVDS for a much longer period of time than a portable DVD player or laptop, yet it's not compatible with Flash video - just to name a few.
The feedback given was both positive and negative, like I previously mentioned, but definitely geared more toward the negative side. Even after looking at the iPad in a positive light, the article was concluded with a statement about the iPad being built by perfectionists. The theory of perfectionism carries a negative connotation because it is common to believe that nothing is perfect. The author also goes on to question if people even like the concept of the iPad, mostly suggesting that the audience should not.
After taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, I do believe that this is a good critique. If the author is doing just that; critiquing, then he will most likely get the audience to second guess their fondness for the iPad. Although the author never gives any suggestions for improvement,I think that is fine because that's not his point. Rather, his point is to make the audience think twice before buying an iPad, not fix the ones that already exist.
The article I chose is a critique of the Apple iPad's. The article basically explains what an iPad is and is not capable of doing. I think it is a good article because it specifically shows both sides of the spectrum. There is a brief critique for all tech-savvy people, and a brief critique for regular individuals. In my opinion, this article was written by someone who is technologically inclined because although the article is trying to see both sides, it still seems biased. I don't think that the article is in favor of the iPad.
I assumed this article to be credible because it was posted in the New York Times, an extremely prestigious newspaper, and also went as far as to correct itself in a later posted article. The author of this article brings up great points for both sides. The iPad will play videos and DVDS for a much longer period of time than a portable DVD player or laptop, yet it's not compatible with Flash video - just to name a few.
The feedback given was both positive and negative, like I previously mentioned, but definitely geared more toward the negative side. Even after looking at the iPad in a positive light, the article was concluded with a statement about the iPad being built by perfectionists. The theory of perfectionism carries a negative connotation because it is common to believe that nothing is perfect. The author also goes on to question if people even like the concept of the iPad, mostly suggesting that the audience should not.
After taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, I do believe that this is a good critique. If the author is doing just that; critiquing, then he will most likely get the audience to second guess their fondness for the iPad. Although the author never gives any suggestions for improvement,I think that is fine because that's not his point. Rather, his point is to make the audience think twice before buying an iPad, not fix the ones that already exist.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Media Fast
I chose to do my Media Fast starting Friday night and ending Saturday night but it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I chose this day because I was going to DC Friday night and I knew I wouldn't have to talk to anyone except for the people I was with. Friday night it was easy not to use my cell phone or my computer because I didn't have either of them with me. I cheated when I went to a club and, naturally, music was playing the whole time. I think in that circumstance, media was not negatively effecting my relationship with my friends but strengthening it because we all danced together and bonded more over good music. The next day wasn't hard either because my phone died during the drive back from DC at 7:00 am. As soon as I got home at 9:30 am, I went to bed until 11:30 am and then woke up and went to work until 6:00 pm. I have to use a radio/walkie talkie at work, constantly. I also kept checking my phone for the time because I didn't have a watch. After work, I was hosting a party and a friend of mine was coming to visit so I had to use my phone to make plans. When guests arrived, I put my phone away. I listened to music at the party. I never watched any TV.
I realize I cheated a lot more than I should have but I am, by nature, the type of person whom makes all the plans and expects everyone else to contact for questions. I am aware of the fact that I am very dependent on my cell phone and though sometimes I wish I didn't have one, I know I wouldn't function well without it.
I realize I cheated a lot more than I should have but I am, by nature, the type of person whom makes all the plans and expects everyone else to contact for questions. I am aware of the fact that I am very dependent on my cell phone and though sometimes I wish I didn't have one, I know I wouldn't function well without it.
Media Log for 9/2
6:00 am - Computer (Email, Weather, Facebook, E-Campus)
6:30 am - Music while I got ready
12:00-? - Cell phone (calls and texts)
I basically texted during the whole rest of the day after noon time and talked on the phone occasionally. I didn't watch any TV, but that is not out of character for me. I listened to music at a party for about 4 hours.
6:30 am - Music while I got ready
12:00-? - Cell phone (calls and texts)
I basically texted during the whole rest of the day after noon time and talked on the phone occasionally. I didn't watch any TV, but that is not out of character for me. I listened to music at a party for about 4 hours.
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